K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization)
oFrom Sep 2021, nationals of visa waiver countries and designated visa-free countriesMUST obtain K-ETA (Korea Electronic Travel Authorization) before entering The Republic of Korea.
K-ETA is an electronic travel authorization thatvisa-free foreign visitorsneed to obtain before entering the Republic of Korea, by submitting relevant information online such as their travel information.
Purpose of travel should be tourism, visiting a family member, participating in events or meetings, or commercial business (excluding pursuit of profit).
Starting 1st September 2021, K-ETA is Mandatory for all foreigners entering Korea from visa waiver countries and visa-free countries. (Ireland included)All foreigners without either a K-ETA or a valid Visa will not be permittedto board a planeto Korea.
List of K-ETARequiredCountries (Regions): 112 countries from 1November, 2022(Denmarkis included)
8countries (Regions)to be added as ofNovember 1, 2022 (2022.11.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. Japan, Taiwan, Macau, Micronesia, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Kiribati, Tonga 1 country (region)to be added as ofJuly 1, 2022 (2022.7.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. Hong Kong 1 country (region)to be added as ofJune 1, 2022 (2022.6.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. Grenada 6 countries (regions)to be added as of May 1, 2022 (2022.5.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. Brunei Darussalam, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Panama, Peru, New Zealand 46 countries to be added as of April 1, 2022 (2022.4.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. Guatemala, Dominican Republic, Russia, Lesotho, Malaysia, Morocco, Bahamas, Brazil, Saint Lucia, Suriname, United Arab Emirates, Haiti, Antigua and Barbuda, El Salvador, Uruguay, Israel, Jamaica, Chile, Kazakhstan, Costa Rica, Colombia, Thailand, Turkey, Tunisia, Trinidad and Tobago, Nauru, Republic of South Africa, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Montenegro, Bahrain, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bostwana, Serbia, Seychelles, Argentina, Eswatini, Ecuador, Oman, Honduras, Qatar, Canada, Tuvalu, Paraguay, Fiji, Australia 1 country (Region)to be added as ofNovember8, 2021 (2021.11.8. Updated) Singapore
List of Available Countries (2021.9.1.~Present) :49 countires (Denmarkis included)
49 Eligible Countries for K-ETA (2021.9.1. Updated) ※The list of countries/regions is subjected to change. Travellers are reminded to check K-ETA website regularly for updates. |
Albania, Andorra, Barbados, Dominica, Guam, Guyana, Holy See,Ireland, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, Palau, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, San Marino, Slovenia, United Kingdom, United States of America, Venezuela, Greece, Netherlands, Denmark, Germany, Latvia, Romania, Luxembourg, Lithuania, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Sweden, Spain, Slovakia, Estonia, Austria, Italy, Czech Republic, Croatia, Portugal, Poland, France, Finland, Hungary, Norway, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Iceland |
Exceptions:
▷Only UN passport holder, ABTC holder, USFK service member, aircraft and ship crew member, transfer passenger, Jeju Island travellers using a direct flight to Jeju Island arenot requiredto apply for K-ETA.
▷ Diplomatic or official passport holders, dependents of USFK members and civilian components need to apply for K-ETA. However, if they obtainprior approval for K-ETA exemptionfrom Ministry of Justice through official request from relevant organizations, they would be exempted from K-ETA application.
▷ Kindly be informed that from January 9, 2023, diplomaticˑofficial passport holders will be exempt from the K-ETA requirement.
※ Plese be aware thatyou are not allowed to work or engage in profitable activities in Korea with a K-ETA. You must obtain a separate visa that allows you to work and participate in employment activities in Korea.
For example, those who will be sent over to Korea under contract for shipbuilding project/machinery installation/machinery maintenance service/similar activities must apply for C-4-5 (short-term employment) visa to the Korean Embassy overseas. How to apply
- You can apply for your K-ETA at the official K-ETA websitewww.k-eta.go.kr(PC and mobile app)
- Youshould apply for K-ETA at least72 hoursprior toboarding your flight or ship bound for the Republic of Korea.
Items to prepare
-valid passport, credit card(for fee payment), email address, recent profile photo
※ If the information on approved K-ETA does not match your passport, your entry to the Republic of Korea will be rejected. Please make sure all information is filled in correctly before making a payment. Furthermore, please be aware that you could face disadvantages, such as entry ban, if you submit false information on your K-ETA application
Check the result
- You can check the result, within72 hoursafter completing the K-ETAapplication either by email or on the K-ETA website.
- Due to an expected increase of applications, the result may not be notified within 72 hours. Therefore, please apply for the K-ETA with plenty of time in advance.
-※ If your K-ETA application had been disapproved once, it will be of no use to apply again unless there is a special change in circumstances. In this case, please visit an overseas Korean diplomatic mission (Embassy or Consulate) and apply for a visa.
Period of validity
- The period of validity is 2 years from the approved date. (granted for multiple entry)
However, if the passport used for the K-ETA application expires in less than 2 years, that K-ETA approval will be valid until the passport expiration date.
Allowed Period of Stay by Country(Nationality)
-Generally up to 90 days, but the alowed period of stay may differ by the nationaltiy.
※ Please see attached "Period of stay by country eligible for K-ETA(updated 2022.5.1).xlsx" for full list.
-Danish national can stay in Korea for up to 90 days with a K-ETA.
Fees
- The fee is 10,000 KRW (approximately $9-10, Additional fee excluded).
Re-application
- Please note that the information entered cannot be modified once the application is submitted. You must re-apply for K-ETA even if your current K-ETA is still valid, in case you entered incorrect information or the information you entered changed, such as your name, sex, date of birth, nationality, passport information (passport number or expiration date), criminal history, and infectious disease information.
Exempt from arrival card
- Those who have the authorized K-ETA are exempted from filling out the arrival card upon arrival.
Information and Inquiry
- K-ETA is NOT a visa. K-ETA approval does not guarantee admission of the Republic of Korea; a Korea Immigration Service officer at the port of entry will have the final determiniation. -Since K-ETA center is not in charge of Quarantine, please contact the department in charge for detailed information on the quarantine requirements. (☏1339)
- Visit the official K-ETA website atwww.k-eta.go.krfor more details.
- For questions,use‘Ask Us’ on the website (Available in Korean, English, Russian, and Thai)
----IMPORTANT ALERT!----
Non-official Websites for K-ETA Application
Recently, non-official K-ETA application websites were found to be charging more than the official fee. One website's price for the K-ETA application was even 20 times more than the official fee.
K-ETA can only be applied from the K-ETA official website(www.k-eta.go.kr) and mobile app(K-ETA). The Government of the Republic of Korea has not designated any application agencies for K-ETA.
The K-ETA fee is 10,000KRW (additional fee excluded) and does not charge any extra fees. Also, during the pilot project period from May 3 to August 31, application fee for K-ETA is waived.
If you have any questions on the K-ETA application procedure, pelase visit the K-ETA official website (www.k-eta.go.kr) - Notice - Questions (available in English, Russian, and Thai).
Please be extra cautious to avoid any financial damages or frauds due to non-official application agencies.
